The name Bidemane has been recorded in British history since the time when the Anglo-Saxons ruled over the region. The name is assumed to have been given to someone who was a person hired to pray for another's soul after his death. The surname Bidemane is derived from the Old English terms bede, which means prayer, and man, which means man. In medieval England, there were also beadhouses, or almshouses for the poor, where the inhabitants were required to pray for their benefactors. In a publication by Skelton in 1528, he wrote of Other smale mynisters, as reders and singers, bedemen and bellringers.

Early Origins of the Bidemane family

The surname Bidemane was first found in Somerset, where they held a family seat from the Middle Ages.

Early History of the Bidemane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bidemane research.Another 399 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1381, 1500, 1659, 1793, 1372, 1410 and 1372 are included under the topic Early Bidemane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bidemane Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bidemane has been spelled many different ways, including Beadman, Bedman, Bedeman, Bedemon, Beadmann and many more.

Early Notables of the Bidemane family (pre 1700)

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bidemane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bidemane family to the New World and Oceana

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bidemanes to arrive in North America: Elizabeth Beadman who arrived in Virginia in 1650.